Conference North/South Focus

Our final divisional focus looks at what's happening in the regional divisions of the Conference.

Starting with the Conference North, where the fight for automatic promotion and play-off places looks like going the distance.

At the bottom, Harrogate have been relegated and Vauxhall Motors could join them at the weekend.

All sides will only play 40 matches too, because of the expulsion of Farsley Celtic.

Top of the table:




A good run has seen Southport take over at the top as their battle with Fleetwood for the title continues.

In the play-off race, Workington's late surge has seen them emerge from nowhere to look strong candidates. Hinckley have suffered a dip and Eastwood appear to have fallen too far behind with games running out.

As it stands:

................................P...GD...PTS
1. Southport..............37....42...80
--------------------------------------------
2. Fleetwood Town.....38....39...79
3. Alfreton Town........37....29...67
4. Workington...........37.....6....63
5. Droylsden.............39....15....61
--------------------------------------------
6. Hinckley United......38.....8....59


Run-ins:



Hyde (h), Alfreton (h), Eastwood (a),







Blyth (a), Stalybridge (h)






Ilkeston (a), Southport (a), Hinckley (h)






Solihull (a), Hyde (a), Stafford (h)







Redditch (h)






Harrogate (h), Alfreton (a)





Turls: For me, this league is pretty much wrapped up in terms of the top five. However, I still fancy Southport to take the title despite their tricky run-in.

They should pick up three points from their game in hand and I'm confident that they will do enough to take the title. That'll leave Fleetwood in the play-offs with Alferton and Workington.

I'm very disappointed to see Hinckley slipping away from the play-off places. As a former resident of the Leicestershire town, I like to see them do well.

They need seven points from their last three games because Droylsden should beat Redditch by a few goals.

However, I can't see it happening so I expect the Marsden Staidum to be a sad place during the summer.

Summary: Southport (Champions); Fleetwood, Alfreton, Workington, Droylsden (Play-Offs)

Nobes: My pre-season title tips were Southport, then I switched to Fleetwood after their great run. If I'm nothing else though, I'm fickle, so I'll switch back to Port.

They've put together a strong run to get themselves back top, and I don't see them blowing it now.

As for the play-offs, Alfreton have been strong throughout the last few months and will be in there. I also expect Workington to finish in the top five - they are the typical form side who come through at the end with a great burst.

I think Droylsden will win their final game, which piles the pressure on Hinckley - pressure I don't see them handling.

Summary: Southport (Champions); Fleetwood, Alfreton, Workington, Droylsden (Play-Offs)

Bottom of the table:



After months of struggling, Harrogate Town's relegation from the Conference North was confirmed after Tuesday evening's 4-0 loss to Corby.

Vauxhall Motors are on the brink, and will go down tomorrow if they don't beat Redditch. Even two wins from the Cheshire club might not be enough considering their inferior goal difference compared to their rivals.


As it stands:

..............................P....GD...PTS
19. Redditch............38...-29....37
-------------------------------------------
20. Vauxhall Motors..38...-38....31
21. Harrogate Town..37...-39....26


Run-ins:



Redditch (a), AFC Telford (h)






Vauxhall Motors (h), Droylsden (a)






Turls: Harrogate are gone but not forgotten - I might have a weekend break there to be honest with you.

Joining them will be Vauxhall Motors. Even if they manage to beat Redditch, which they won't, they would then need to beat AFC Telford, which they won't, to stay up - which they won't.

I could waffle on about mathematics this and permutations that but I'm quite busy today so I won't. In short: relegation looms for the MotorMen.

Summary: Vauxhall

Nobes: Harrogate have struggled along all season. It's a shame for that club - who were challenging at the right end in the past few seasons. Their financial situation has been the cause of their demise.

I almost hesistate to say Vauxhall Motors are gone - they've somehow managed to avoid the drop due to other teams' troubles - including my own side - in the past.

However, this time their number is definitely up. They've run out of gas and are only heading in reverse.

Summary: Vauxhall



Now the latest situation in the Conference South.

Runaway Champions Newport had the title sewn up ages ago, leaving the rest to fight it out for a place in the end of season play-offs.

At the bottom, Weymouth and Weston-super-Mare have already been consigned to the drop. Lewes and Worcester are fighting it out to avoid being the third team relegated.




Top of the table:




Newport have sealed the title, and a 2-0 win for Dover over Weymouth secured the Kent side a place in the play-offs.

Chelmsford are on the brink of securing a top five berth too, the last two places are still well up for grabs however.


As it stands:

.........................................P...GD....PTS
1. Newport County...............40...63.....97
-----------------------------------------------------
2. Dover Athletic.................40....22.....74
3. Chelmsford City...............40....16.....72
4. Braintree Town................40....15.....68
5. Woking..........................40.....8......66
-----------------------------------------------------
6. Bath City........................39....18.....65
7. Havant & Waterlooville....40.....16.....65
8. Staines Town..................39....17.....63


Run-ins:




Worcester (h), Havant & Waterlooville (a)






Basingstoke (a), Newport (h)






St Albans City (a), Weymouth (h)







Bromley (a), St Albans City (h)







Maidenhead (a), Chelmsford (h)






Thurrock (h), Dover (a)





Turls: This bad boy has been wrapped up since the turn of the decade. Newport have romped this league and Dean Holdsworth should be proud of his Welsh charges. Admittedly, they've been up against some shoddy opposition but the games still needed to be won.

As for the play-offs, well I reckon this one is going down to the wire - it's cutting edge commentary like this that keeps you interested.

Obviously Dover have sealed their place and Chelmsford aren't far off from doing the same. I think Woking should make it. They'll rattle a few in at home to Weymouth on the last day and should have enough about them to pick up a point to St Albans City.

I think the other team will be Bath. I honestly do not think that Braintree will win either of their remaining games, thus opening the door for Bath to sneak in.

Summary: Dover, Chelmsford, Woking, Bath

Nobes: Congratulations to Newport, they have romped home to the title in impressive fashion. Well done to that new club.

Dover have continued their renaissance under Andy Hessenthaler and I imagine they will be favourites in the play-offs.

It's hard not to see an experienced Chelmsford side joining them, their boss Jeff King has been there and done it at that level.

Woking are the form side and should make it, and I fancy Bath to make it too - they've had a good year in both the league and cup.

Summary: Dover, Chelmsford, Woking, Bath


Bottom of the table:



A second successive relegation for Weymouth was confirmed after Worcester's win at Staines Town. Weston-super-Mare joined them following a 4-1 defeat to Champions Newport.

Lewes are taking their fight for survival to the wire as they look to make their game in hand count against Worcester.

As it stands:

......................................P....GD.....PTS
19. Worcester..................40....-14......37
----------------------------------------------------
20. Lewes.......................39....-19......36
21. Weston-super-Mare.....40....-41......23
22. Weymouth.................40....-69......19





Dorchester (h), Bath (H), Hampton & Richmond (a)




Chelmsford (a), Eastleigh (h)






Turls: My "W" dream can come true! Heavens to Betsy. This would be the greatest thing to happen in the whole of this week.

Worcester aren't going to win either of their two games. That means Lewes need to take two points from their final three games. If that isn't doable then the Dripping Pan faithful need to start asking questions of their players.

Two home games - all they need is one win. Or two draws. Or they could even win the away game. The possibilities aren't endless but if Lewes don't stay up, I'd sack the manager and appoint me as gaffer. I could do a job to be fair.

Summary: Worcester

Nobes: It looked for so long as though the bottom three would finish well adrift but, while that still applies to the bottom two, Lewes have put together a great late run.

I think they might need to win both of their home matches if they're to give themselves a shot of staying up. I'm not sure they will though, so I'll go with Worcester to survive - but only just.

Summary: Lewes